to 'puzzle' a prime minister? Looks like it might be his right-hand man making the rich richer at the expense of the poor and disabled that he can't understand? "Iain Duncan Smith quits: David Cameron 'puzzled' by resignation" There y'go, that's how much the 'born the rule' upper class toffs ('who don't know the price of a pint of milk', coined by Nadine Dorries MP . ) are disconnected from the great unwashed.
You want to know the real reason the standard of living has not been improving, and in fact has been on the slow decline? In 1985 the population was just a little under 57 million. 3 decades later 8 million more people have been added, most of the increase has been in the crowded urban regions where housing space is in short supply.
I submit that the number is more important than the etymology? 8 million - bloody hell, I've been thinking it's nearer to 3 million. No wonder the NHS and community services are on the brink of collapse, and there's a housing shortage. Oh well, there's nothing we can do about it now. 'horses bolting from stables with open doors' and all that!!
are you saying that all the governments along the years are allied in doing the life of their citizens worser only for reduce the population??